ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Straight from Ken Rosenthal onFoxSports.com:

"I've said it before, and I'll say it again: It's awfully difficult to find fault with the way the Angels operate — and even more difficult this season, considering the injuries the Angels have overcome to produce the best record in the majors.

Still ...

I'm not buying this notion that the Angels' offense is suddenly good enough, even after the team's latest achievement, an impressive three-game sweep of the Red Sox.

One more hitter plus a left-handed reliever would make the Angels the favorites to win the World Series. My suggestion would be a blockbuster with the Braves for first baseman Mark Teixeira and left-hander Will Ohman — slim as the chances of such a deal might be.

The Braves, 6 ½ games back in the NL East, are reluctant to concede, though their position could change if they stumble in their next two series in Florida and Philadelphia. The Angels are reluctant to pursue a rental such as Teixeira, particularly when his agent, Scott Boras, would attempt to pit them against the Mets, Yankees and other clubs in free agency.

Then again, the Angels made a strong bid for Teixeira last July, and they still could use him. Consider the American League rankings in run differential, a statistic that — while not foolproof — is usually a strong indicator of what a team's actual record should be (see table at right).

That's right, according to run differential, the Angels actually should be trailing the A's in the AL West, and their record should be roughly the same as the Twins' and Yankees'.

The Angels are better than that in large part because of their astonishing 38-18 record in games decided by two runs or less — a record built on their overall pitching strength and Francisco Rodriguez's major-league best 40 saves.

Yet, even Rodriguez's performance is somewhat misleading — his strikeout rate is at a career-low, while his walk rate and walks and hits per innings pitched (WHIP) are at career highs.

When the Angels allow Rodriguez to walk as a free agent — which they are certain to do if he sticks to his expected asking price of five years, $75 million — they will cite his peripheral numbers in justifying their decision.

But back to the offense.

The Angels are encouraged that right fielder Vladimir Guerrero has snapped out of his early-season slump, that left fielder Garret Anderson appears poised for a big second half and that third baseman Chone Figgins and second baseman Howie Kendrick finally are healthy.

But if you're Angels general manager Tony Reagins and you're doing your due diligence, you're at least exploring the market for another hitter. Reagins is indeed taking that approach, according to major-league sources.

Still, there are no easy answers.

The best fit for the Angels would be an outfielder such as the Rockies' Matt Holliday or the Pirates' Jason Bay; either would be a significant upgrade over Juan Rivera and Gary Matthews Jr., whose contribution the rest of the way is uncertain due to a slight tear in the ACL of his left knee.

Here's the thing: The Rockies might not trade Holliday or third baseman/first baseman Garrett Atkins, another player the Angels have liked in the past; the Rockies, despite their sorry -69 run differential, are only six games out in the sorry NL West.

Hence, Teixeira.

The Angels lack pitching depth after losing right-hander Kelvim Escobar, most likely for the rest of the season. The Braves, though, wouldn't necessarily want pitching for Teixeira. They would want first baseman Casey Kotchman, who is a favorite of manager Mike Scioscia's and under club control for three more seasons — but no Teixeira.

The Red Sox could not justify trading Kevin Youkilis for Teixeira even if they had doubts about David Ortiz — Youkilis is hitting better than Teixeira this season and is two-plus years away from free agency, as opposed to two months. The offensive difference between Teixeira, a switch-hitter, and Kotchman, a lefty swinger, is far greater — and while Kotchman is excellent defensively, Teixeira is a two-time Gold Glove winner.

An expanded deal might be necessary; the Angels could ask for a prospect or two to go with Teixeira and Ohman, who also is a free agent at the end of the season, and the Braves might want other players along with Kotchman. But what's the worst that could happen if the deal was just Kotchman for Teixeira and Ohman? The Angels would get two draft picks if Teixeira departed, and maybe another for Ohman. Kendry Morales then could take over at first, or the Angels could find a more proven answer. First basemen always are in plentiful supply.

Teixeira is not a perfect solution. There is no perfect solution. But the Angels should not delude themselves into thinking that they're good enough to go deep into the postseason. One more hitter would make them that much more formidable. One more hitter would make them the team to beat."

So obviously Rosenthal has never sat and watched more than a single Angels game at a time.  Peripheral stats just don't cut it in citing what the Angels have been doing this season.  It's MUCH more miraculous than that.

And the fact that the freaking power rankings on ESPN.com still place the Angels in fourth, below Tampa Bay, Chicago, and the Red Sox respectively, pisses me off to no end. Have they not noticed that the Angels have at least led, or tied with the cubs, for the lead in major league baseball more than Tampa Bay or Boston?  Or the fact that the Angels are 5-1 on the season against the Red Sox, slaughtering them both home and away?  Or that the Angels are one of only three teams who have a winning record both at home and away?  And are the only team that lead their division by a margin more considerable than two games?  Or that the Angels are the best team on the road by a lot?  

FREAKING COME ON.  This is just ridiculous.  I hate you baseball media.  Like seriously.  If you were a person, I'd hire a hitman, just to save my sanity from your ridiculous antics.

World Series, here we come.  EFF YOU.